You climb all day and finish at the bottom..

Today I rode the course for the Yorkshire Dales Triathlon, a race with a long history originally organised by Harry Waugh from Dearne Valley Tri if my memory serves me right.. I think Harry (a famous character) went to live in Southern Scotland.. The event has been remapped slightly by Kudu Bikes to keep much of the old bike course but the run now climbs Shunner Fell rather than tackling Pen Y Ghent as in the old days..

The bike course is a killer with 4 big climbs including Buttertubs Pass and Garsdale Head to Dent.. the weather was mixed today and as I packed my pockest with nutrition, I remembered the last time I rode the course 12 years ago as a younger athlete with a single plan.. go hard from the start until I can't go any further..

My nutrition included a packet of jelly babies, 2 chorley cakes and a bottle of Kia Ora (I'll be your dog), a second bottle was handed up by my dad on the climb from Garsdale head.. I believe that is outside assistance and a 2 minute penalty now? So sue me..

The run headed down the road for a couple of miles before the long drag up Pen Y Ghent, followed by the bridle way descent and final tarmac of death back to Horton in Ribblesdale..

After the ride today, I quite fancy another go at the course, revisiting old territory.. Today was wet and quiet, I passed a few parked cars on the long climbs with the rain running down my cape sleeves and my glasses. I got a wiff of coffee through the partially opened windows and a glimpse of tartan travel blanket.. people peering through the glass with a 'what are you doing' look on their faces as I ploughed onwards..

perhaps if I competed this year the multiple gels and isotonic mixtures should give way to chorley cakes and Kia Ora for the purposes of remembrance.. maybe I could ride a bike which requires me to move my hands from the bars and reach for the down tube to change gear.. remember those?? Nearly sticking your fingers in the front wheel every time you wanted to change to the big ring?? How did we manage..

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

Like a duck to water..

Last night we hosted the regional triathlon academy at our open water venue and had 22 youngsters join us on the night.. the usual mix of adult novices, intermediates and experts were also on hand but there's nothing like the sight of triathlon kids mixing it in open water to warm your heart!

There were 10 coaches assisting on the night, some on the lake side and others in the water to provide 'water safety cover'.. Helen Hyder of Man Tri looked after the T2 athletes and in true mother duck fashion lead her group around the turn buoys in perfect formation.

Matt Shillabeer, Mike Myers, Richard Mason and Mark Walsh had the task of taking the T3/Youth/Junior athletes, Matt (ABC) and Mike (Tri Team Wigan) on the side and Richard (COLT) and Mark (Kudu Bikes) in the water providing safety cover.. it is perhaps worth noting guys that to provide safety cover.. you need to keep up with them.. but a good effort nonetheless (Richard has just done 10:30 at Lanza to be fair!).

They also had the presence of Simon Mills, head of performance development for British Triathlon who came along from Loughborough to check out the academy progress..

All in all a great evening and great to see young talent swimming like dolphins and enjoying the freedom of open water swimming.. what a sport this is..

See you all at Chester, NW Olympic Distance Championships.. don't miss it!

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

That man.. he talk funny..

Over the last 6 months I feel as though I have picked up a whole range of interesting terms relating to endurance training. I think it is important that as athletes, we understand these specific terms in order that we may better understand the environment in which we train and the athletes amongst who, we spend our time.

This is the endurance coach 'jargon buster' of triathlon training terms which I have recently accumulated from within the Wigan borough:

1. I'm as f****d as a robber's dog..

This phrase is for use during high intensity or prolonged exercise when the athlete suffers from an extreme level of fatigue... this phrase may also be replaced with the slightly stranger but less offensive:

2. I am absolutely badgered..

During a cycle training ride, if a fellow team mate pulls up alongside with a glint in eye and wishes to warn you of a pending attack on the next climb, he may well say:

3. Are we 'avin a do' ?

The phrase 'avin a do' is generally followed by a marked increase in both pace and heart rate.

If a fellow team mate does indeed 'ave a do' he may select a gear which requires him to generate more force but which also enables him to ride at a faster speed as a direct consequence. Your team mate may suggest that you select a similar gear ratio and will often say:

4. Stick it in'th big chonker..!!

Such training rides inevitably result in high levels of fatigue due to riders 'avin a do in'th big chonker' and in the last few miles they are generally 'badgered'. Following an hour in the coffee shop a team mate may stand up only to realise that they can barely move their legs. This acute inflammatory response goverened by the immune system is often described as:

5. I'm as stiff as a wizard's d**k!!

I am still learning and make a note of new terminology on a weekly basis.. I will endevour to keep you informed as the language develops.

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

Summer sun makes me feel fine..

The sun is shining and it appears that the heavy snow of winter is now a distant memory.. I'm riding my bike outdoors in the evening rather than an hour on the turbo in the kitchen and I'm running in shorts rather than multiple layers of leg protection. The season is almost here, it has crept up in stealth mode leaving me in a bit of a panic over the lack of training I've achieved in the last few months and also the running injury which has stopped me getting out on foot for nearly 6 weeks!! Fell walking has replaced fell running and I feel like a caged animal :(

Work has been busier than ever but I'm determined that it will not impede my training for this year's events which currently stands at:

1.Keswick triathlon
2.Chester olympic triathlon
3.A day in the lakes middle distance
4.National aquathlon Salford
5.Helvellyn triathlon

I am looking to add more, but this is as far as I've got.. the likelehood is.. as always, the others will also remain in the NW region.. that is, after all, where the best events are held. If nothing else it is comforting to be beaten by the same people yet again..

This week I worked on my bike handling skills, attempting to turn a tandem within a confined area with assistance from coach Paul. It's a bit like having a motorcycle passenger, if they don't lean you end up in the road side vegitation. I've discovered that riding a tandem is the cycling version of a pantomime horse and the person on the back receives the most stick. At a set of lights a car driver feels compelled to tell me: "he's not pedalling mate!!" At this point I feel compelled to correct him.. "I think you'll find that the pedals are linked by a section of chain making it impossible for one person to pedal and the other to freewheel".. "He's not trying mate!! would therefore be a more accurate representation of the situation"... The guy didn't take it well at all.. some people have no sense of humour.

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

Cakeman goes global..

Following my last blog (please see blog post below) there has been an incredible international response regarding the cakeman..

Follow the link to see the latest developments: http://en.tackfilm.se/?id=1269338764140RA95

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

It's what legends are made of..

Even at the age of 37.. my dad still comes and watches me do triathlon events. He's been following me since my first event in Pendle, 1990.. I was 17 years of age but nothing much has changed.

Support generally consists of him standing in the spot with best viewpoint and screaming "Goworrrnnnn Cock" as loud as he can everytime he sees me.. whilst this is widely accepted as a term of endearment oop North, it has turned a few heads at races down South and almost resulted in his removal from such events on a few occasions..

He watched me as a youngster chasing the adults and as my years have advanced somewhat, the tables have been turned, the situations are different but the support is generally the same..

He is always at epic events and has now somewhat developed his only celebrity status, by turning up in the famous red micra, with a boot full of cake for weary competitors. He's always ready to greet the finishers with tea, refreshments and a smile..

He is my dad..
The Cakeman..

Like the Lilt man in many ways, but slightly less tropical..

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

It comes out of nowhere..

Well it does.. I am a self confessed follower of the rat race and you think that you are doing all the right things, your priorities are in the right place and your direction is of most benefit to everyone around you. Just when you least expect it something comes out of nowhere and makes you realise that you were wrong.. Occasionally you can travel so far down a tunnel that you can't actually see any other perspective but you just keep going until you reach the other side, step back and realise this wasn't actually the planned destination.. and I'm not really that happy to be here.. Sometimes it's just easier to carry on anyhow as it's what you know and in some ways a lot less hassle..

If you're lucky something left hooks you across the jaw and realigns your thought patterns, reminding you of the grand plan, if not, you may just carry on with normal service..

You only get limited chances, so take 5 minutes and make sure you're digging in the right direction. The funny thing about the rat race is that whether you win or lose, you're still a rat..

Here endeth theenduranceblog..